AZ part two

Steven was so much fun to be with. He then took me out to my Uncle's and with jill's help we found it lickity-split. Doug's instructions were perfect as well. I found the key easily enough and was quickly exploring their beautiful house. We made the comment to each other that it was so much bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside. And their cat was SO friendly and practically showed us the house herself, from the big windows lining their back wall to the upstairs rug. It made me laugh to see that Doug had a "drink fridge" upstairs. I guess brothers will be brothers and that is why we have jill. I especially loved looking at their pictures: one of grandpa as a soldier, of them, and their kids, of the temple, I loved it. Steven left and I was ready to head out in their Ford truck, got in it and for some strange reason it wouldn't turn on, I was starting to sweat (we'll pretend that was only from the heat). So then I am looking around in the car, processing information and click, click, click.... it is a stick.... o.k, figured out how to start the car.... but that wasn't enough, and I quickly came to my senses that I was NOT going to be driving someone else's car in a place I do not know especially in a system that I do not know how to drive, and called up Danielle to come and pick me up. At first I was really disappointed but even before Danielle arrived I had realize that it actually turned out better this way. I hadn't figured out how I was going to get back to the airport or sleeping arrangements, so this ended up being better. While waiting I further explored the house. They have a spiral staircase (I love that I am running into those in the most random places) and a beautiful brick patio that I was lucky enough to spend half an hour on in the beautiful sun. And then to go and see their tortoises and grapefruit tree. I was glad that I had the opportunity to go there and have time to myself in those two days. Danielle certainly had fun teasing me that I don't know how to drive "clutch" and maybe it is something that I should learn, but.... I guess that is going to have to wait for the right opportunity.
I was really glad to see Danielle and to have time to spend and talk with her despite that it took her twice as long to get home as it did to come and get me because of the traffic. But I have got to tell you that the scenery in Az is beautiful. I loved driving and seeing the palm trees and the cacti and the pretty flowers, it was fun. Next I got to see Danielle's house which I wasn't surprised to see belonged to Danielle and her mother. They had a "green room" and a "blue room" and it looked like their house was just themed down to the smallest detail and just immaculate. I feel bad that they felt like they needed to clean everything to impress me, but it certainly looked good. Her mother was kind enough to serve us a lasagna dinner shortly after we arrived, but there was an air of uneasiness that was present, I felt slightly uncomfortable intruding in on their home at that point. I was grateful that her sister Kim was their to talk about the first day of her internship. It was fun to see Breana and see Dan in her element at home and with friends. We went to Coldstone and talked outside it was fun. (catch-up, Breana is Dan's best friend from growing up, and is getting married in Dec - I can sympathize with Dan in her thoughts surrounding such an event) Next we saw 'Penelope' at her house and laid in bed talking.
The next day it was great to be able to get up and relax in the morning with just the two of us there. Then Kathy and Brooke came home (they were getting ready for high school to start on Mon -meaning 9th grade - big stuff) and we went over to the mall for a make-over for each of us, a first for Brooke, it was cute to see her so nervous. Then it was fun to share in Dan's traditions of getting black and white chippers. Kathy was really funny about loving how her daughters looked after their mack-overs. She kept telling them how BEAUTIFUL she thought they were, that their eyes just popped now, and then how she thought that we were the three most beautiful girls in the mall right then. She certainly loves her daughters. We next went to a golf course for lunch and it was great to see the family enjoying themselves.
That evening was the one that I was most concerned would either be a flop or a success, and with starting it out with....
(to be continued....)

AZ part one

Well, I am here in Arizona and I cannot believe how at ease I feel. I guess I've only been here 5 hours, but even the preparation felt natural. I guess that proves my parents right again - I have become quite the traveler. It was a cinch though: dropped off, got my ticket, went through security, then to the atm, waited, read a good book, got breakfast, on the plane and reading some more - that REALLY makes the time go by SO much faster. I got to Az right on time, and then Steven Chicoine was so kind to coe get me and help me to feel comfortable here, he was awesome. And he make the beginning of this short trip just excellent. What a great guy he is. So kind and helpful and giving. And boy did I chuckle when he pulled up to pick me up in his black infinity with black leather seats.
He picked me up and showed his current apartment and the one he will be moving to shortly. Both of them are SO nice. They are REAL apartments, almost like a home in and of themselves with silver handles, wood floors, large windows, patios, and .... a garage - yes, even a garage. Although his choice of entertainment isn't necessarily always mine, I was very impressed with his choice of decorating and living quarters. You know, the more time I spend around him, the more of an education I get. I learned what a "cougar" is - well, a different cougar than an individual that goes to BYU, - and what a hooka is, and I doubt I would have learned that any other way.
Then he wouldn't let me get lunch, despite my efforts. But he took me to a cule little place that I would come take my father back to if I was ever back again. The atmosphere was GREAT, they grilled the hamburgers on this wood burning stove - it was so fun. The Chuckbox had great pictures and great company, and aparently it is famous on campus, which make it even better. It was also fun to have all the buildings pointed out to me and to walk around compus and see their Union Center, a classroom, and then to even join a beginning ballroom class for a few min. I was grateful to have been exposed to ballroom before that though, and then to be associated with BYU. We went into the class and Steven felt comfortable joining, so we went in and danced - he is pretty good. We were doing swing and the teacher came over and danced with me, just a bit and said "you didn't learn here" hen asked if I went to BYU. Then he stopped class and made a point about my form (positive statement) and how great the BYU dancing program is. It was really fun. It was nice to feel cute too - I am sure that helped.
Steven was so much fun to be with. He then took me out to my Uncle's and....
(to be continued....)

a Closing chapter

With my brother closing such a big chapter of his life it makes me wonder, have I experienced a close on my life? Have there been big changes that have closed to me that I can't go back to and that altered my life? I think for me they were mostly subtle, it wasn't like I ever moved or that any immediate family member died, the horses and animals, but they have moved on in stages, it is all on stages. Going to college was big, but then I didn't really go far and in reality I can still go home almost whenever I want, was it a closing of a chapter? Thinking back, yes. But I didn't realize it as it happened. My friends moved on, either going on missions or wanting a different direction than I was headed. I moved on. I have realized that, I don't want to be back in high school. I am ready to move on with my life. I'm not quite sure when it happened, like I said it has been in stages, slow progress along the way. But that chapter of my life is done. Kinda sad, but good too. I will always have fond memories, and always hold dear those things, but that is all it is now.... memories, they are different now.

REading

I love reading, I have since I was little, I remember first reading so that I could stay up later, or at least that was one of the reasons. I remember sitting on my sleigh bed (I loved that bed) and reading SO many books. My nephew, Court, he reminds me of that, being able to go through a good book in no time at all and enjoying every minute of it. Well, being on vacation and having down time while driving and on airplanes has been frustrating, so while in Iowa I picked up a book "Hold Tight" by Harlan Coben. Well, I picked it up on the 28th, read just a bit because we were busy, then yesterday and today we were traveling awhile and I had a lot of time to read, and well, it is done. I don't know if I would categorize it as "virtuous, lovely, or of good report" or at least I wouldn't say that about the first half of it, yet the book was a grabber and very well written. I liked how it was written from... well, I don't even know how many, but MANY perspectives, yet not overdone. I would say it would definitely be rated PG-13 if it was a movie.... would I recommend it: if you are in for a murder mystery and having it feel like it could be in your neighborhood then yes. I felt like once you got past the tragedies that there were some thought provoking and good things to learn from in it. O.k, there you go. If you have a good, uplifting book to suggest to me, please let me know.

Inspiration

so my sister has inspired me to keep this updated so that other people can see what is going on in my life, however, I don't feel like there is really anything important that anyone would care about, but I will try to be better.
I guess the news in my life right now is first that I am TRAVELiNG like crazy these next few weeks, and have WAY more on my to-do list than I have time for, but I am going to try and make the most of it. Let me share: Got out of school moved home the next day (Fri), on Monday I graded exams ALL day, got home at 8:30ish and packed for a camping trip, was camping with Jess for three days, and the next Sat I was driving to Canada with my parents. Loved it there, loved the weather, the company, the activities, and ALL of it. Was there for three weeks, got back on Sunday morning(after almost killing my parents because I convinced them to pull an all-nighter just because we could) Monday I wasted my morning and early afternoon trying to get tickets to AZ then went down to Provo to pay rent (which guess what!?! this is the only week that they are not open..... my luck) but I did get to see Jessica and Abby, that was good, as well as Dan. Then today there was lots to do: send package, start quilt, finish fence, weed, make dinner..... pack (sometime tonight) and then tomorrow morning I am heading off for Iowa to see my brother, I am SO excited, it has been a year, and I haven't even met my newest nephew yet. I'm also excited for Sean to be graduating, it is fun that his life is changing and progressing, I am also excited just to talk with them. It is good to reconnect with my brothers and since it was so much fun being with Chad and his family these past few weeks, I know it is going to be great being with Sean this next. I haven't finished my agenda with you though.... so I get back next Wed, and then the following Monday (if I can get tickets) I am leaving for AZ to go and see Danielle, and hopefully do some fun things with her. If you have any ideas for me, PLEASE do share, I am running up short. I'll be there 'til Thursday. Then home for a few days, and off to N. Carolina to help my sister out as she is moving back home :) THEN I will be home for two weeks before school starts, and in that time I need to IRON, I swear it never ends, MAKE a QUILT, FIX a WATCH, UPDATE my photo album that goes in the apartment, HELP around the house, and there are probably more things, but I can't think of them right now... the packing is seeming ever more present. I'm excited for the busy-ness, and I am sure that I will be ready for school when it comes too.
the only other "news" in my life right now is that I broke up with Dan, it was weird, and an interesting learning experience for me, and sad to do it... he was everything I had ever dreamed about in a husband-to-be when I was little, but I know that it is the right thing to do, we weren't meant for each other. I hope for his sake that he can move on quickly, and progress towards his righteous desires in life. And as for me, I will be watching for the Lord's time to show itself. I know I can trust Him, He hasn't left me alone yet.
Well, that is it. May you all keep blogging so I can keep in touch with the happenings of your lives.
- me